Boiler plug



` 1,636,135 B. H. HUGHES BOILER PLUG Jul 19,1927.

Filed June 2'7. 19254 /NvE/vme:

Patented July19, 1927.

l UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BEN H. HUGHES, 0F EAST CLEVELAND, OHIO.

BOILEB vzenne..

Application led J'une 27, 1925. Serial No. 49,084.

My long experience as a plumber has` made me familiar with the construction and actual use of most of the devices of this character now kon the market, Some previous devices have included a separate chisel lfor re-forming the opening preparatory to insertion and clamping or otherwise securing of the plug fitted to the re-formed opening. Another principle heretofore involved has been the wedging insertion of a member with an angular head and with a conical shank supplied with fine threads and with the nose of the shank fashioned as a reamer.

One object of. myei'nvention is to combine the advantages without the previous constructions. Another object has been the design of a contrivance which will be strong, durable, sufficiently economical of manufacture and afford the desired facilit of adjustment. An especial feature has vbeen to design the insertion end of the plug itself with cutting edges, as exemplified, theinsertion end being of arrow head formation.

I realize that the scope ofi my invention comprehends many equivalent methods and constructions. The showing of the drawings and the particular description are merely specific exempliications of a plurality of mechanical embodiments and arrangements.

Adverting to the drawing: Figure I, isa fragmentary sectional view a boiler showing a plug embodying my invention in the position to seal an undesired hole therein.

Figure II, is a section on line II-II of Figure I .with a central part appearingin elevation.

Figure III, is a plan View of the outside plug when in its functionating positlon.

Figure IV, is a plan view of the inside end of the plug after insertion through a hole to be plugged.

Figure V, is a View partly in section and partly in elevation showing the position of the plug with its head partly inserted dur-l infr the intended forcing of it through the hotle while cutting edges of the latter.

Figure VI, is ya broken plan view of an area of a boiler or container having a hole therein which it is desired to have closed.

.tory to disadvantages of Figure VII, is a similar plan view showl ing the enlargement and reshaping of the hole after the head of my plug has been driven through it.

The boiler section 1, has an undesired aperture 2 which will be .cut-enlarged, as shown at 3 in Figure VII, by and preparathe use of my plug, which comprises a shank 4 and terminating at one end as an arrow head 5 provided with converging cutting edges 6 disposed in the same pla-ne and meeting at a sharp point. The cutting edges 6 are to be case hardened. The other ends of the cutting edges 6 conjoin toform barbs 7 at two extremities of a projecting shoulder. An interjacentportion of the shank 4 is fashioned with screw threads 8 whereas its opposite extremity is a cylindrical head 9 supplied with a slot 10 disposed in the same plane as that in which the cutting edges y A rubber Washer 1l surrounds the` shank next to the arrow head' and a cup-shaped metal washer 12 surrounds the shank adjacent that side of the rubber washer 11 which faces the driving end 9. Then a nut 13 is screwed in position for engagement with the metal washer 12 and for compression of the rubber washer 11 against` thatarea of the outer side of the boiler 1, which borders the opening 3.

The method of application of my plug is as follows:

While the nut and washers are removed from the arrow head 5, as appears in Figure V, the point of the arrow head 5 is presented to the opening 2and forcibly driven inwardly by the impact of hammer blows delivered 0n the end 9 and until the cutting edges 6 have cut completely through the boiler thereby re-forming the hole, as appears at 3 in Figure VII, and until the barbs 7 are positioned interiorly of the boiler. Then the shank may and is to be turned through an angle of 90, as shown in Figures I and IV, the disposition of the slot 10 furnishing intelligence ythat a 90 turn has been effected. p shank is held in the position shown in Figures I and IV, the nut 13 is tightened to compress the washers 11 and 12 and incidentally compress the rubber washer` ver sufficiently tightlyy against the outer side of the boiler,

into the thread grooves which it surrounds and to some extent into the opening 3 thereyby effectively sealing the hole. The cup- Theroafter, while the' shaped Character of the metal washer 12 contributes to a more certain attainment of the sealing effect. Meanwhile the barbs 7 have become so tightly drawn against the inside,

of the boiler as to indent the same and effect an interlocking engagement against turning release. l

I claim:

As a new article of manufacture, a boiler l0 plug comprising a member having one end portion formed lille an arrowhead terminating in a sharp point and having a plurality of separated barbs projecting in a direction away from said point, another portion being fashioned with screw-threads and a nut cooperating with the latter and adapted to draw said barbs against the interior surface of a boiler.

Signed by me, this 28th day of May, 1925.

BEN H. HUGHES. 

